THIS is a year for Nottinghamshire County Council celebrations as the authority marks its 125th anniversary with key dates in its summer leisure calendar.

It is 60 years since Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

In August there is the 30th Robin Hood Festival in the forest.
Next month Rufford Abbey Country Park hosts the 20th Earth and Fire International Ceramic Fair.

Coun John Knight, culture committee chairman at the council, said: “It is very interesting that there are so many special anniversaries of events here in the county taking place in 2014.

“The Robin Hood Festival is a much-loved event with Robin Hood fans both in the UK and abroad and it is wonderful that we are going to celebrate 30 years of the festival this summer. It is a double celebration for Sherwood as it marks the Diamond Anniversary of receiving SSSI status.

“And with the 20th anniversary of the Earth and Fire International Ceramic Fair at Rufford Abbey in June – all in the year that the county council is 125 years old – it really does make 2014 stand out as a special year of milestones.”

There are a whole host of other events and activities taking place throughout the summer including the Southwell Poetry Festival which promises a week-long celebration of poetry throughout the town. This takes place from July 17 to July 20.

2014 is also seeing the commemorations of The Great War, with many events being organised by the county’s libraries and archives service.

For details on some of the activities and opportunities in store for summer 2014 visit Nottinghamshire County Council’s website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson